SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)

I have a message for you.🫢🫣

[Next Morning]

Sophia woke up to the blaring sound of her alarm, groaning as she rolled over and slapped the snooze button. Her roommates, Jisoo and Minji, were already awake and causing their usual morning chaos. Jisoo was dramatically searching for her missing sock, while Minji was humming a tune while applying her makeup.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Minji teased, tossing a pillow at Sophia.

"Ugh, why is it morning already?" Sophia muttered, burying her face in her blanket.

Jisoo huffed. "It’s not morning; it’s war. I can’t find my sock!" She spun in circles, her hair a mess. "I swear it was on my bed!"

Minji snorted. "Check the fridge. That’s where you left your phone yesterday."

Sophia laughed despite herself, sitting up. "Why are you like this?"

Jisoo dramatically placed a hand on her chest. "I’m a woman of mystery."

"More like a woman of chaos," Minji said, rolling her eyes.

Sophia stretched, yawning. "What time is it?"

"Time for you to explain why Adrian keeps showing up around you like a lost puppy," Minji said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Sophia froze mid-yawn. "Excuse me?"

Jisoo gasped. "Oh my gosh, are we finally getting juicy details? Don’t tell me something happened!"

"Nothing happened!" Sophia grabbed a pillow and threw it at Minji, who expertly dodged.

Minji smirked. "You’re lying."

Sophia groaned. "I’m not lying. He’s just… Adrian. Annoying, persistent, and confusing."

Jisoo squinted. "So… you like him?"

"No!" Sophia blurted too quickly.

Minji smirked wider. "Liar."

"Can we not do this first thing in the morning?" Sophia groaned, climbing out of bed. "I have a shift later. I don’t have time for nonsense."

"Oh, but you have time to think about Adrian?" Jisoo teased.

Sophia threw another pillow at her.

[Later at the Café]

The café was busier than usual, and Sophia barely had time to breathe. Orders were piling up, the espresso machine was throwing a tantrum, and someone had spilled an entire tray of pastries near the counter.

In the middle of all the chaos, Adrian strolled in, completely unbothered.

"You again?" Sophia groaned as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Do you live here?"

"Maybe," Adrian said, sliding onto a stool. "It’s cozy."

"It’s a café, not your personal hangout spot."

"Details, details," he waved off. "Besides, I figured you’d need some moral support."

Sophia sighed. "I need a raise, not moral support."

Adrian smirked. "I can pay you in compliments."

"I’d rather starve."

He chuckled, watching as she efficiently made a coffee order, her hands moving swiftly. "You know, you’re kinda impressive when you’re in work mode."

Sophia arched an eyebrow. "Kinda?"

"Yeah. Only kinda." He leaned forward. "Wouldn’t want you to get a big head."

"You’re unbearable," she muttered, sliding a coffee cup across the counter.

"And yet, you keep talking to me."

Sophia opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by the door swinging open—hard.

A man in a black suit stepped inside, looking around like he was searching for someone. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was unsettling.

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

She didn’t know why, but something about him felt… wrong.

Adrian noticed her shift in mood immediately. "What’s wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

Adrian followed her gaze and frowned. "You sure about that?"

Before Sophia could answer, the man’s eyes locked onto her. He started walking toward the counter.

Her heartbeat picked up.

"Sophia?" the man asked, his voice eerily calm.

She hesitated. "Who’s asking?"

"I have a message for you."

Adrian shifted beside her, his body suddenly tense. "She’s busy. Whatever you have to say, say it and leave."

The man pulled a small envelope from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "Read it. Sooner rather than later."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Sophia stared at the envelope like it might explode.

"That was weird," Adrian muttered.

Sophia exhaled shakily. "Yeah."

Adrian reached for the envelope. "Should I—"

She snatched it before he could. "No. I’ll handle it."

Adrian didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. "Just… be careful, okay?"

Sophia nodded, but her mind was already racing.

Something told her this wasn’t going to be just another ordinary day.

[To Be Continued...]